Google Photos is gearing up to give users more control over when their memories hit the cloud, with a new scheduled backup feature spotted in testing that lets you dictate upload times for photos and videos, addressing long-standing requests for smarter syncing.
The “Backup Schedule” option, unearthed in Google Photos version 7.58 through an app teardown, appears on a refreshed settings page under a new “Backup tools” section, alongside guides on how to back up and what to include. While not yet widely available, the feature is expected to allow customizations like specific times of day, Wi-Fi-only uploads, restrictions to when the device is charging, and pauses for low battery, mirroring Android’s existing backup constraints to optimize for efficiency. It’s tied to the app’s Material 3 Expressive UI overhaul and could roll out via server-side switches or A/B tests, potentially debuting on Pixel phones before broader Android adoption.
Google hasn’t officially commented on the feature or provided quotes, but the development aligns with user demands for better battery preservation, data cap management, and reduced network strain, especially given the service’s scale, hosting over 4 trillion photos and videos with 28 billion new uploads each week. For the app’s more than 1 billion users, this could mean avoiding uploads on spotty cellular connections, delaying them until overnight charging, or syncing only during off-peak hours in regions with high data costs.
This isn’t Google’s only backup tweak in the works; a separate selective backup option is also emerging, letting users back up just favorited photos and videos while keeping others device-local, alongside better raw file handling and per-app exclusions to curb cloud clutter. These enhancements signal a shift from all-or-nothing syncing to more granular controls, potentially helping users stretch their free 15GB Google One storage or justify paid tiers.
Competitors like Apple’s iCloud Photos, Microsoft’s OneDrive, and Amazon Photos rely on background syncing tied to connectivity and power without explicit time scheduling, making Google’s potential addition a differentiator by leveraging Android’s JobScheduler for idle-time efficiency. As AI features like Magic Editor and Recap continue to evolve in Google Photos, these backup refinements could keep users loyal amid rising alternatives, but the true test will be in seamless implementation without introducing new bugs or privacy pitfalls.
